Rich Franklin rumour - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Bomber · 11-28-2006, 07:29 AM

Franklin is listed in the MMA Rumors section for UFC 68, which will supposedly be held in Ohio, his home state.

-Tim Sylvia (#5 Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Brandon Vera
-Rich Franklin (#5 Middleweight)* vs. TBA

Not listed at MMA Weekly is that his opponent will likely be the winner of Leben/MacDonald.

UFC 68 is a sure sell. They'd better come up with something really good to prop up UFC 67, Champ vs TUF, or I'm out.

opsy · 11-28-2006, 08:01 AM

i thought for sure he would be out longer, but that's awesome.

Gooner · 11-28-2006, 08:02 AM

Oh snap... imagine if Leben (if he beats MacDonald) KO's Rich after enduring 2 rounds of Rich's punches.

That would certainly be a big fall for the ex champ, and the Franklin-bandwagon would come to a screeching halt.

Bomber · 11-28-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

Oh snap... imagine if Leben (if he beats MacDonald) KO's Rich after enduring 2 rounds of Rich's punches.

That would certainly be a big fall for the ex champ, and the Franklin-bandwagon would come to a screeching halt.

I'm not too worried about that scenario. Leben is a B-level fighter, and Rich is too smart to get caught in a low-tech brawl.

KRONOS · 11-28-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

I'm not too worried about that scenario. Leben is a B-level fighter, and Rich is too smart to get caught in a low-tech brawl.

Yeah I have to agree with you on that.

Rich also has the reach advantage over Leben too.

Ninjabot · 11-28-2006, 08:29 AM

I think Swick would be a better fight for Rich.

nublood · 11-28-2006, 08:30 AM

I actually am one of those who like Chris Leben. But he doesn't stand a chance against Rich. He's way too much of a precision striker for Chris to ever handle.

Bomber · 11-28-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjabot

I think Swick would be a better fight for Rich.

I agree, but there's no way they match those two before they each fight for the title. On the other side of the title matches I'd love to see that one. I'll go with Franklin.

spiritofbattle · 11-28-2006, 08:43 AM

good luck to franklin and all, im a big franklin fan but........of all the rumors on this page the one i am freekin over is vera sylvia. i cant wait to see vera strip that belt off sylvia.

duke09 · 11-28-2006, 08:46 AM

i think rich will make short work of leben. maybe they are trying to ease rich intol the scene again, but there really arent that many other competitors that would attract the fans, and i agree that they may be saving swick for a big title run

Gooner · 11-28-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

I'm not too worried about that scenario. Leben is a B-level fighter, and Rich is too smart to get caught in a low-tech brawl.

Yeah, it's not the likeliest scenario, but Rich is not gonna "make short work of Leben" either, duke.

Rich doesn't have Silva's KO power, and Leben does have a good chin.

It's almost like AA-Sylvia (without the reach-difference) imo. Rich is the quicker, and more technical striker, but Leben has a chin and KO power.
But because there is no reach-difference, Leben winning would be more of a shock.

Jras0001 · 11-28-2006, 08:58 AM

I think that since Swick beat The Crow, his next fight should be with Rich. That way, hes beaten the last person to fight for the title and then he would have beaten the last title holder (if he were to beat Rich). I dont think that anyone could argue that he wouldnt deserve his title shot at that point.

As for Leban / Rich fighting, I dont think Rich would have that much trouble other than the fight going into the 3rd round maybe due to Lebans chin. Silva exposed one of Lebans biggest weaknesses...his footwork and his inability to deal with a reach disadvantage. Those are two things Rich would have over Leban and like someone posted earlier, Rich wont let the fight degrade into a mindless brawl. I think Rich would dispose of Leban in convincing fashion.

ufc-Joseph-Bower-ufc · 11-28-2006, 08:58 AM

You all talking as if leben is going to win for sure.
What if MacDonald wins?
what would u think of him and rich on the ground?

jmag · 11-28-2006, 09:08 AM

I think Leben will have the oxygen cut off from his brain in Dec and Rich will be fighting Mcdonald if the rumor's true.

duke09 · 11-28-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

Yeah, it's not the likeliest scenario, but Rich is not gonna "make short work of Leben" either, duke.

Rich doesn't have Silva's KO power, and Leben does have a good chin.

It's almost like AA-Sylvia (without the reach-difference) imo. Rich is the quicker, and more technical striker, but Leben has a chin and KO power.
But because there is no reach-difference, Leben winning would be more of a shock.

i understand what you are saying, and you may be right. i just think that rich will come in hungry and with something to prove, especially considering the beating he took from silva. i simply meant that he may be on the war path is all, but he may also come back more careful and attentive.

but, what if leben won??

KRONOS · 11-28-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke09

but, what if leben won??

I hate to say it because Rich is one of my favorite fighters, but IF he was to lose to Leben, then I would probably say he should go back to teaching.

Now back to reality...

Like duke09 said. Rich is going to be coming in hungry with something to prove. I think he'll slap Leben around.

Bomber · 11-28-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jras0001

I think that since Swick beat The Crow, his next fight should be with Rich. That way, hes beaten the last person to fight for the title and then he would have beaten the last title holder (if he were to beat Rich). I dont think that anyone could argue that he wouldnt deserve his title shot at that point.

You may think that, but I'd bet my paycheck it won't happen. History says the UFC will not match the top 2 contenders. Swick and Franklin are both viable title shots and both will get title shots. If Swick wins, Franklin's title shot could still be on because it's a rematch, but it would lose value. If Franklin wins, Swick will be booted out of contention for a long time. And MW does not have any contenders to spare.

duke09 · 11-28-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmag

I think Leben will have the oxygen cut off from his brain in Dec and Rich will be fighting Mcdonald if the rumor's true.

i kind of think so too. i really like macdonald, and i am still astonished how he beat short fuse, crazy skills!!
anyway, i think the reasoning suggests that if macdonald wins, he may face rich.

so, any hope of macdonald beating rich??

Bomber · 11-28-2006, 11:13 AM

MacDonald better watch the Leben vs Joe Doerkson and Jorge Santiago fights over and over again. Watching those fight should prepare Jason for a good game plan (i.e. do not brawl with Leben), because everyone knows Leben's game plan; walk forward and windmill.

MuStAnG12687 · 11-28-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjabot

I think Swick would be a better fight for Rich.

Yeah I would say so too...but Leben should be an easier fight and should help boost Rich's confidence if he lost any after being humbled by Silva...